Residents and cabbies have united in condemnation against a decision by a north-east airport to double a controversial drop-off charge.
The £1 fee originally came into force in January last year when Aberdeen International Airport introduced a drive to reduce congestion and improve safety during peak times.
This week, the airport has revealed plans to double the controversial charge due to an expected increase in traffic following their £20 million investment programme.
Last night Aberdeenshire businessman Robert O’Keeffe, who regularly travels abroad for work and receives clients in the north-east, expressed his disappointment over the plans.
The 50-year-old from Banchory said: “Their justification I read in your paper was really quite pathetic.
“They are not reacting to the reality of the business situation in the north-east of Scotland.
“They have a monopoly of airports and they are just taking two pounds for every trip.”
Taxi drivers also hit out at what they described as the unfairness of the increase.
Sajjadur Shahjahar, said: “It is not fair to go up to £2, it’s a pain for taxi drivers.”
Another driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “Somebody is making money and it is not us.
“We will have to wait until notification from the council before finding out if we can add the £2 to our charge, it’s a pain.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman confirmed that any review would not be complete until December.
She said: “Aberdeen City Council must only review and fix taxi fares and other charges every 18 months.”
Scottish Conservative candidate for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, slated the .
He added: “This will simply compound the challenges around accessing the airport and will be seen as a stealth tax at a time when the local economy is reeling from the downturn in oil and gas.”
A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “Over the coming weeks and as part of our £20 million investment programme, there will be a significant increase in construction traffic using our lower forecourt.
“These measures will allow us to continue to provide a safe environment for passengers and all our customers during this time and beyond.”
